These incredible cinnamon sugar cookies are topped with a decadent, creamy cinnamon frosting. They are made with staple ingredients and are surprisingly quick and easy to make.

This cinnamon sugar cookie recipe is a blend of a classic snickerdoodle and iced buttercream sugar cookie that you’ll make time and time again.

frosted cinnamon sugar cookies on a white platter
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I know I should save the best for last, but it’s all relative because who can choose between five new fall and winter infused recipes!

Whenever I do any fall baking, I send cookies to friends, family and neighbors to see which new cookies make the cut. Everyone had a differing opinion this year, but these cinnamon sugar cookies are my personal favorite.

If you love cinnamon everything as much as we do, don’t skip my Snickerdoodle Recipe Without Cream of Tartar – so good! I’ve got a classic Soft Snickerdoodle, too.

These cinnamon sugar cookies are the best of both worlds. All the fragrant, spicy goodness of a soft snickerdoodle, combined with the sweet and sugary sugar cookies with buttercream icing we all love!

frosted cinnamon sugar cookies on a white platter

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

As much as I love a beautiful cutout sugar cookie, sometimes you just want a soft, fluffy one that doesn’t take quite as much effort. Luckily, these are still so beautiful and the taste is out of this world!

Why You’ll Love It

  • Easy to Make – No cookie cutters required!
  • Great for Holidays – Perfect for holiday cookie exchanges and platters.
  • Soft and Fluffy – But they are made with simple staple ingredients.

Ingredients and Substitutions

See printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.

  • Butter – I tend to have salted butter on hand, so that’s what I use here. Traditionally unsalted butter is best for baking, but we like a little salt with our sweet for balance. Learn how to soften butter quickly.
  • Vegetable Oil – You can also use a canola oil or another neutral high heat oil.
  • Sugar – White granulated sugar.
  • Vanilla Extract – Pure is preferable over imitation. Learn how to make your own homemade vanilla extract here!
  • Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this is a super fine sugar that is always used for frosting, and also can be added to cookie dough for a soft, sweet effect.
  • Eggs – Size large.
  • Flour – All-purpose flour is required for this recipe.
  • Salt – To balance out all that sweet!
  • Cream of Tartar – For the traditionally tart addition that gives these cinnamon sugar cookies the taste of a snickerdoodle!
  • Baking Soda – An imperative addition to many cookie recipes, baking soda is a leavening agent that allows the cookies to rise.

Variations

frosted cinnamon sugar cookies on a white platter

How to Make these Cookies in Four Easy Steps

It takes less than 20 minutes to make these delicious treats! For the full printable recipe, head straight to the card at the bottom of this post.

  1. Make Dough as directed.
  2. Refrigerate dough while you’re preheating oven.
  3. Roll /scoop dough into large balls and drop on cookie sheet. Bake.
  4. Allow to cool. Ice with cinnamon frosting.
frosted cinnamon sugar cookies on a white platter

Tips

  • Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least an hour before baking.
  • Use parchment or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
  • Don’t overbake cookies. Watch bake time closely to keep cookies soft. 7-8 minutes is just perfect. Any longer and they may become hard and dry.
  • The cookies are ready when firm to the touch and slightly brown around the edges.
  • Let the cookies fully cool before icing them.
  • This recipe can make a lot of cookies, depending on how big you make them! Great for gifting or exchanging with friends.
frosted cinnamon sugar cookies on a white platter

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you use instead of butter in sugar cookies?

You can substitute with margarine or shortening, but the results won’t be quite the same.

Are snickerdoodles just sugar cookies with cinnamon?

Not exactly! Snickerdoodles often feature cream of tartar, which is a slightly bitter, tart addition that is quite distinctive. Sugar cookies are traditionally frosted, too, which adds a separate layer that defines the difference between these two sweet types of cookies.

frosted cinnamon sugar cookies on a white platter

Dietary Considerations

  • Nut Free
  • Vegetarian

How to Store

  • Room Temperature – You can store these cookies on your counter for up to three days in an airtight container. Good luck getting them to last that long!
  • Refrigerator – Once these cookies have been cooled and iced, they will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for about 3-4 days.
  • Freezer – Un-iced cookies can also be frozen on a baking sheet and then placed in zip lock bags and they will be good for a month or two. Bake a couple of batches, freeze half and enjoy later in the season!
frosted cinnamon sugar cookies on a white platter

More Cinnamon Inspiration

More Desserts
frosted cinnamon sugar cookies on a white platter
4.97 from 29 votes

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

These incredible cinnamon sugar cookies are topped with a decadent, creamy cinnamon frosting. They are made with staple ingredients and are surprisingly quick and easy to make.
Prep: 8 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Refrigerate dough: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 16 minutes
Servings: 24
Pin Rate Print

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, oil, vanilla etract, sugars and cinnamon until smooth. 
  • Blend in eggs.
  • Add flour, salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda.
  • Refrigerate dough 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F
  • Roll or scoop dough into large balls and drop on cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes watching carefully as to not over bake. Allow to cool 1 minute on cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
  • Ice with Cinnamon Frosting if you'd like, but they are also delicious without.

Julie’s Tips

  • Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least an hour before baking.
  • Watch the cookies carefully while they are baking, they won’t take long.
  • The cookies are ready when firm to the touch and slightly brown around the edges.
  • Let the cookies fully cool before icing them.
Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 259IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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42 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I LOVE me a frosted cookie!! These look and sound SO crazy delicious! Can’t wait to try this recipe!

    xo Michael